Best Music Of 2015: Writers' Picks

It’s the season, dear readers, for traditions aplenty, sure enough, but most importantly it is the season for one tradition to rule them all: It’s time for Best Of The Year Lists! As for so many other publications, we join in taking the approaching New Year as an occasion to look back and single out the best new works of music from the preceding twelve months. This year the Rockfreaks.net team will have managed to review almost 600 albums by the time the champagne pops and the fireworks go off, while sampling quite a few more that we could not find time to write about. And seeing as we know that few others in their right mind has that kind of time to keep up with music, we offer you here our annual recap, where our contributors have taken turns at picking out the shiniest highlights from their listening efforts this year.

The rules are simple: Each writer chooses and lists as many records as he or she deems fitting, with the option to include unranked “honorable mentions” as well. The only criteria is that to merit inclusion, an album must have the consistency and strength of expression to appear like one we will easily be reminded of and gladly revisit for the foreseeable years to come. Great singles are good to have, and exciting new styles and sounds can impress us too, but to get on the list, consistency is key. Thus whatever you take interest in from below, rest assured that we have listened to it many times over and ultimately found that these records satisfy from first track to last, or at least as close to as possible.

As done in years prior, we have divided our efforts into two articles - one for our four editors and one for our remaining writers - and because they are the most big-headed and influential, the editors were up first. This however, is part two, where our trusty writers say their part! So read on, find out what our interests developed to this year, and find out who’s right and who’s absolutely in the wrong. And more importantly, let us know in the comments! Did we miss something? What does your list look like? Let the festivities continue!

Lærke Fenger (LF)

LF usually covers bands that fall within the genres of post-rock, pop punk, indie/emo rock or progressive rock. Her favorites this year are generally atmospheric and contrast-filled records.

HES covers everything from post-hardcore, over punk, and into the more alternative realms of rock music. Whereas genre sometimes matters less, for a record to reach her top 10 it needs to have a narrative, lyrically or atmospherically.

MAK has a strong love for ska and hardcore, though dabbles a lot into the world of metal, punk and the many subgenres and weird mixes in between. MAK’s coverage since the summer has been a reflection of these varied tastes, ranging from the chirpy hooks of pop-punk to the heaviest riffs in metal.

MN’s heart is still firmly planted in metal-land with progressive black and death metal, groove and djent-driven metal featuring mostly on his choice of audial pleasure. Nevertheless, as time progresses, he has opened more up to the joys of post-rock and the good indie/folk punk bands of today.

MIN’s musical taste ranges from alternative rock to hardcore punk, with the occassional touch of heavy metal. But ultimately, as long as the lyricist has a well-written sheet and the music is passionate and driven, there are few limits to what he’ll cover.